Hat support



A 23, 1929. M, G, oppm 1,710,478

HAT SUPPORT Filed Sept. 1927 IIIIIIIHHIIIIIIII I BY ATTO EYS.

Patented Apr. 23, 1929.

STATES} MARY'GALLATINZHOPBIN, or NEW YoRK, n. Y.

Application file'd September 7, 1921'. Serial No. 217,917.

This invention is a hat support intended more particularly asa supportfor ladies hats *and especially adapted to be used while trav-- clingsManystyles of hats are so shaped that if they are allowed to rest upon atable or other flat support, they will lose their shape or the fabric ormaterial from which they are made will be soiled or damaged. It istherefore desirable withhats'of this character to support them when notin use in a position wherein they will be suspended from the inside ofthe crown.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficientconstruction I which may be normally compacted to permit it' to beconveniently packed in a traveling bag and which, upon removaltherefrom, may be extended to furnish an adequate andc'onvenien'tsupport for a hat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of thecharacter referred to which maybe economic-ally manufactured andwhich,whenin compactedcondition, will occupy a'minimum space.

Speaking generally, the invention-embodms a hat engaging elementvnormally spaced above asuitable supporting base by a resilient orcollapsible element-and at such .distance that a hat may rest upon-thehat engaging element and be supported thereby with the brim of the hatfree from the surface on which the base is supported. Thecollapsibleelement is, however, so constituted that when the device is not in usethe collapsible element may be collapsed to bring the hat engagingelement into close proximity with the base and thus render the device ofsuch compact character that it will occupy a minimum space in atraveling bag.

In the preferred practical form of the invention, the base is providedin its top with a recess or chamber in which the lower end of a spiralspring is permanently attached. The hat engaging member is made in theform of a shell to the under side of which the upper end of the springis secured. The shell and base are so proportioned and shaped that theshell will serveas a cap or cover for the chamber in the base and theseparts are preferably provided with bayonet joints whereby the cap may besecured to the base when the parts are in compacted relation. When inthis form, the spring will be housed in con cealed position within thechamber of the case, and will be maintained under compression in thiscondition by virtue of the locked engagement between the parts l/Vhenthebayonet joints are, however, released, the spring will unmediatelybecome distended, whereby the shell will be supported in spaced relationto and above the base. This form of the device is simple inconstructiommay be economically manufactured and is thoroughlyGlfiOl-Gllt in the performance of its intended functions.

Features of the invention, other than those specified, will be apparentfrom the hereinafter detailed description and claim, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. i

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of theinvention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood asillustrative, only, and not as defining the limits'of the invention. 7

F igure l is a perspective view showing a device embodying the presentinvention in compacted condition. Figure 2 is a .central verticalsection through the construction as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but.

showing the parts in hat supporting positions.

Referring to the drawings, 1: indicates a base. This base maybe made ofany suitable material and may vary in shape, size or proportions withoutdeparting from this invention. A

The base, shown in the drawings as circular, is provided with a coaxialrecess 2 closed at its bottom and open at its top and seated in the baseof this recess is the lower end of a coil spring 3. The lower end of thespring is secured in position by means of clips 4, or otherwise, topermanently bind the spring to the base while permitting of unrestrictedflexing of the body of the spring.

. The upper end of the spring 3 is secured to the hat engagingelement 5in any suitable manner that will permanently maintain these partsagainst inadvertent displacement. This hat engaging element may be ofany suitable size, shape or material, but, for the purpose ofillustration, I have shown it in the form of a metallic shell adapted tofit over and form a cover for the recess 2 of the base. To permit ofthis, the base is provided with a cylindrical part 6 in its upperportion, the exterior diameter of which is adapted to fit into and bereceived within the shell 5, as

clearly shown in Fimire 2. On the cylincooperation with the pins, thepart 5 will be firmly secured'to the base with the spring 3 housed incompressed, collapsed condition within the recess 2 and the hollowshell.

In the compacted condition illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the devicewill occupy a minimum of space in a handbag or elsewhere and can bereadily transported or stored in a manner to exclude dust from itsinterior.

When it is desired to utilize the device to support a hat, it is onlynecessary to release the bayonet slots from the pins of the base,whereupon the inherent resiliency of the spring will immediately forcethe shell 5 into spaced relation above the base and a hat ma thereuponbe suspended upon the shell with the shell positioned within the crownof the hat. The spring is suiiiciently strong to support the weight ofthe hat and the brim of the hat or any part associated therewith will bemaintained tree from engagement with the'suri'ace on which the base isresting.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown the invention in one of itssimplest forms. I am aware, however, that certain changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit of this invention and which changesgenerally would tend to complicate the structure. For example, thespring may, if desired, be housed within an envelope of fabric or othermaterial, accordion plaited, or otherwise, so as to conceal the spring,or more than one spring may be employed to support the shell above thebase. Moreover, other resilient elements than the particular type ofspring employed might be utilized for the same purpose. For thesereasons,

mic ire the invention is to be understood as not limittom and providedin its top with a relatively deep recess, a cover fitted over the baseto, normally close said recess, and means on the base portion and coverfor. detachably securing the cover in position, in combination with aconical coil spring, axially compressed and positioned within the recesswith the larger end oi-the spring seated against the bot-- tom of therecess and secured thereto, andthe smaller end of thespring seatedagainst the center otthe cover and secured thereto, said cover beingmanually releasable from the base to permit the spring to expandunrestrictedly into unrestrained, distended condition to resilientlysupport the cover in spaced rela. tion above the base upon the springexclusively, the conical formation of the spring serving to maintain thecover and base in substantially axial alinement, and said-cover beingshaped to form'a hat reston which a hat may be loosely positioned.

In testimony whereof I have signed 'th foregoing specification.

MARY GALLATIN 'HOPPIN.

base portion having a substantially fiat bot- I

